Here's to spoiling you with loads of blog posts...
I have for over a year had a deep deep deep desire to put a fence up between the neighbors and me. It's not that I don't like them (even if there are some shady dealings going on... allegedly!). But one of my greatest desires is to have some real privacy. I don't need to cavort in the moonlight, but it would be nice to have the option.
Originally the previous owner of my house built two duplexes next door. Apparently he like to keep an eye on things as the front doors of the four units face my house. The only thing separating the two properties is an old picket fence and a weedy privet hedge (why wont they let that hedge grow!). As Mitchell Maher so tactfully put it on his first visit "you have a lot of permeability". Well permeability is great for dialysis tubing but not for neighbors. Of course I could have built or had the fence built right away when I took possession of the house. But the list of chores on a 90 year old craftsman runs long and I kept putting it off.
Looking back I can say the biggest hurdle was the mental aspect of the fence. An anxiety over spending money hit me and I was in a perpetual state of putting away for a rainy day. But there has been a benefit to taking as long as I have with the fence and that is research. I have had a ton of time to find a surface with which I would be happy. First it was corrugated metal, which is sadly not allowed, even though I do see it in the 'hood. Then it was traditional redwood, which is nice if a bit pricey. But then I discovered Hardieplank and Hardieboard... What a find! This is a composite material made of cellulose fibers and cement. No rot, no termites and it comes smooth or with a wood grain. I snapped a shot of a fence in Venice Beach that used Hardieplank, but the builder didn't use enough uprights and the boards (see below)
So, as soon as I have a free weekend I will get the posts in the ground and transform my permeable membrane into a solid screen.
I have for over a year had a deep deep deep desire to put a fence up between the neighbors and me. It's not that I don't like them (even if there are some shady dealings going on... allegedly!). But one of my greatest desires is to have some real privacy. I don't need to cavort in the moonlight, but it would be nice to have the option.
Originally the previous owner of my house built two duplexes next door. Apparently he like to keep an eye on things as the front doors of the four units face my house. The only thing separating the two properties is an old picket fence and a weedy privet hedge (why wont they let that hedge grow!). As Mitchell Maher so tactfully put it on his first visit "you have a lot of permeability". Well permeability is great for dialysis tubing but not for neighbors. Of course I could have built or had the fence built right away when I took possession of the house. But the list of chores on a 90 year old craftsman runs long and I kept putting it off.
Looking back I can say the biggest hurdle was the mental aspect of the fence. An anxiety over spending money hit me and I was in a perpetual state of putting away for a rainy day. But there has been a benefit to taking as long as I have with the fence and that is research. I have had a ton of time to find a surface with which I would be happy. First it was corrugated metal, which is sadly not allowed, even though I do see it in the 'hood. Then it was traditional redwood, which is nice if a bit pricey. But then I discovered Hardieplank and Hardieboard... What a find! This is a composite material made of cellulose fibers and cement. No rot, no termites and it comes smooth or with a wood grain. I snapped a shot of a fence in Venice Beach that used Hardieplank, but the builder didn't use enough uprights and the boards (see below)
So, as soon as I have a free weekend I will get the posts in the ground and transform my permeable membrane into a solid screen.
What I get to look at.... picket fence is gone
Not very pretty save the black Phoebe on the handle of the shovel
Nice if not well executed Hardieplank fence in Venice
What a view to have to look at. I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteyes, well I will be able to pretend I live somewhere else a little more easily soon. Stay tuned!
ReplyDelete